Shipley MP repeating call for meat labelling

An MP representing communities in Wharfedale is pressing for compulsory labelling of kosher and halal meat, two years after his last attempt was defeated by just three votes in Parliament.

Conservative MP for the Shipley constituency, Philip Davies, has tabled an amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill to ensure compulsory labelling at point of sale, after it emerged millions of consumers are eating the meat unknowingly.

Mr Davies, who represents Burley-in-Wharfedale and Menston, said people had a right to know what they were eating. It recently emerged supermarkets and restaurant chains are selling halal meat to millions of customers without telling them.

Animals slaughtered for halal and kosher are not required by law to be stunned prior to slaughter. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) believes all animals should be stunned before slaughter and the RSPCA says not doing so causes ‘unnecessary suffering’.

Speaking in the Commons, Mr Davies said: “Two years ago I introduced a ten minute rule bill for compulsory labelling of halal and kosher meat at the point of sale. It was defeated by three votes, voted down largely by the politically correct brigade on the Labour benches.

“As usual I was ahead of my time as Government will appreciate there is now widespread concern about the use of halal and kosher meat that is not labelled among retailers.”

Mr Davies demanded the Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, make a statement to MPs on what Government is doing “to make sure consumers can make an informed choice when they are making their purchases.”

It is claimed slaughtering animals in line with Islamic rituals saves money, as the product can be eaten by both Muslims and non-Muslims.

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Comments (2)

Its got nothing to do with animal or consumer rights but the fact that Mr Davies is just a rabid 'little Englander' who cant cope with the fact that Britain is (thankfuly) increasingly multicultural. Why not press for a bill that adresses our real concerns, such as zero hour contracts, poverty wages and increased authoritarianism

Its got nothing to do with animal or consumer rights but the fact that Mr Davies is just a rabid 'little Englander' who cant cope with the fact that Britain is (thankfuly) increasingly multicultural. Why not press for a bill that adresses our real concerns, such as zero hour contracts, poverty wages and increased authoritarianismAl Needham

Its got nothing to do with animal or consumer rights but the fact that Mr Davies is just a rabid 'little Englander' who cant cope with the fact that Britain is (thankfuly) increasingly multicultural. Why not press for a bill that adresses our real concerns, such as zero hour contracts, poverty wages and increased authoritarianism

Score: 0

theoldbrewer says...2:39pm Mon 26 May 14

Mr Davies will presumably have done his homework since he is an MP. He willhave considered the impact of his proposed legislation anywhere in the North of England with a substantial Muslim population. Halal and non-halal meats will both have to supplied via separate and segregated supply chains. Small outlets will, as now, sell one or the other but supermarkets ...? Does he really want to see two meat counters - non-halal here and halal over there? Let me spell that out. Secularists and Christians here but Muslims go over there. Have we not been here before? What would be the purpose in any event? Approaching 90% of halal certified meat is derived from stunned animals. There is another practical issue. Much non-halal meat is halal certifiable. Mr Davies' rules would mean that surplus could not be distributed in the non-halal food chain to balance supply and demand. His is a nonsense idea. It's not based on sound welfare grounds so does he have a hidden agenda?

Mr Davies will presumably have done his homework since he is an MP. He willhave considered the impact of his proposed legislation anywhere in the North of England with a substantial Muslim population.
Halal and non-halal meats will both have to supplied via separate and segregated supply chains. Small outlets will, as now, sell one or the other but supermarkets ...?
Does he really want to see two meat counters - non-halal here and halal over there? Let me spell that out. Secularists and Christians here but Muslims go over there. Have we not been here before?
What would be the purpose in any event? Approaching 90% of halal certified meat is derived from stunned animals. There is another practical issue. Much non-halal meat is halal certifiable. Mr Davies' rules would mean that surplus could not be distributed in the non-halal food chain to balance supply and demand. His is a nonsense idea. It's not based on sound welfare grounds so does he have a hidden agenda?theoldbrewer

Mr Davies will presumably have done his homework since he is an MP. He willhave considered the impact of his proposed legislation anywhere in the North of England with a substantial Muslim population. Halal and non-halal meats will both have to supplied via separate and segregated supply chains. Small outlets will, as now, sell one or the other but supermarkets ...? Does he really want to see two meat counters - non-halal here and halal over there? Let me spell that out. Secularists and Christians here but Muslims go over there. Have we not been here before? What would be the purpose in any event? Approaching 90% of halal certified meat is derived from stunned animals. There is another practical issue. Much non-halal meat is halal certifiable. Mr Davies' rules would mean that surplus could not be distributed in the non-halal food chain to balance supply and demand. His is a nonsense idea. It's not based on sound welfare grounds so does he have a hidden agenda?

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